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World grieves Nelson Mandela's death

Gary Strauss, USA Today
8:29 a.m. CST December 6, 2013

(FILES) A picture taken on June 17, 2010 shows former South African President Nelson Mandela in Sandton. Nelson Mandela was in "good spirits" on March 29, 2013 as he spent a second day in hospital, in the latest health scare for the revered icon, South Africa's presidency said. AFP PHOTO / ALEXANDER JOE (Photo credit should read ALEXANDER JOE/AFP/Getty Images)(Photo: ALEXANDER JOE AFP/Getty Images)

Nelson Mandela's death prompted an outpouring of grief from world leaders and others who honored the beloved South African leader's life and legacy.

Convicted of treason and sentenced to life imprisonment for leading a campaign of sabotage and conspiracy against the government, Mandela spent 27 years behind bars before he was freed in 1990. Yet he was able to help guide an anti-apartheid crusade smuggling messages from the prison. As time passed — the "long, lonely, wasted years," as he said — international awareness of apartheid grew more acute. By the time Mandela turned 70, he was the world's most famous political prisoner and an icon of democracy, freedom and justice, winning a 1993 Nobel Peace Prize and serving as South Africa's first black president.

Former South African president and Nobel peace prize laureate Nelson Mandela joins guests at his home in Cape Town, on August 20, 2008 to celebrate his 90th birthday year, at an event organised by the Mandela Rhodes Foundation (MRF). AFP PHOTO/RODGER BOSCH (Photo credit should read RODGER BOSCH/AFP/GettyImages) (Photo: RODGER BOSCH AFP/Getty Images)

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - AUGUST 5: In this handout from Nelson Mandela Foundation, former South African president and Nobel peace prize laureate Nelson Mandela and his wife Graca Machel share a laugh behind his birthday cake received from the staff in honour his 90th birthday, at the Nelson Mandela Foundation August 5, 2008 in Houghton, Johannesburg (Photo by Juda Ngwenya/Nelson Mandela Foundation via Getty Images) (Photo: Handout Getty Images)

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - AUGUST 5: In this handout from Nelson Mandela Foundation, former South African president and Nobel peace prize laureate Nelson Mandela and his wife Graca Machel share a laugh with Boniswa Qabaka (C) whilst wrapped up in a blanket, a gift received from the staff in honour his 90th birthday, at the Nelson Mandela Foundation August 5, 2008 in Houghton, Johannesburg (Photo by Juda Ngwenya/Nelson Mandela Foundation via Getty Images) (Photo: Handout Getty Images)

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - AUGUST 5: In this handout from Nelson Mandela Foundation, former South African president and Nobel peace prize laureate Nelson Mandela and his wife Graca Machel share a laugh as he's wrapped up in a blanket, a gift received from the staff in honour his 90th birthday, at the Nelson Mandela Foundation August 5, 2008 in Houghton, Johannesburg (Photo by Juda Ngwenya/Nelson Mandela Foundation via Getty Images) (Photo: Handout Getty Images)

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - APRIL 02: Nelson Mandela greets Sol Kerzner as he arrives at the new One&Only Cape Town resort on April 2, 2009 in Cape Town, South Africa. Today is the Grand Opening of Sol Kerzner's first hotel in his home country since 1992. The 130 room property is One&Only's first Urban resort and sits in the fashionable Waterfront district. Celebrities from all over the world including Mariah Carey, Clint Eastwood, Matt Damon, Morgan Freeman, Thandie Newton, Marisa Tomei will attend the event. Gordon Ramsay will be launching his first restaurant in Africa at the resort, Maze and Robert De Niro will be opening Nobu. Nelson Mandela will be attending an intimate luncheon at Maze on Friday to celebrate his long-standing relationship with Mr. Kerzner. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images) (Photo: Chris Jackson Getty Images)

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - APRIL 03: Celebrity Chef Gordon Ramsay (R) shakes hands with Nelson Mandela during a lunch to Benefit the Mandela Children's Foundation as part of the celebrations of the opening of the new One&Only Cape Town resort on April 3, 2009 in Cape Town, South Africa. The One&Only is Sol Kerzner's first hotel in his home country since 1992. The 130 room property is One&Only's first Urban resort and sits in the fashionable Waterfront district. Celebrities from all over the world including Mariah Carey, Clint Eastwood, Matt Damon, Morgan Freeman, Thandie Newton and Marisa Tomei will attend the event. Gordon Ramsay will be launching his first restaurant in Africa at the resort, Maze and Robert De Niro will be opening Nobu. Nelson Mandela will be attending an intimate luncheon at Maze on Friday to celebrate his long-standing relationship with Mr. Kerzner. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images) (Photo: Chris Jackson Getty Images)

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - APRIL 03: Nelson Mandela smiles during a lunch to Benefit the Mandela Children's Foundation as part of the celebrations of the opening of the new One&Only Cape Town resort on April 3, 2009 in Cape Town, South Africa. The One&Only is Sol Kerzner's first hotel in his home country since 1992. The 130 room property is One&Only's first Urban resort and sits in the fashionable Waterfront district. Celebrities from all over the world including Mariah Carey, Clint Eastwood, Matt Damon, Morgan Freeman, Thandie Newton, Marisa Tomei will attend the event. Gordon Ramsay will be launching his first restaurant in Africa at the resort, Maze and Robert De Niro will be opening Nobu. Nelson Mandela will be attending an intimate luncheon at Maze on Friday to celebrate his long-standing relationship with Mr. Kerzner. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images) (Photo: Chris Jackson Getty Images)

Former South African President Nelson Mandela reads the State of The Nation address by President Jacob Zuma (not pictured) in Parliament, in Cape Town, on June 03, 2009. President Zuma promised to create half a million jobs this year in his first state of the nation address to parliament and said fighting poverty was his priority, a week after South Africa announced it was facing its worst recession in 17 years. AFP PHOTO/POOL/MIKE HUTCHINGS (Photo credit should read MIKE HUTCHINGS/AFP/Getty Images) (Photo: AFP AFP/Getty Images)

Former South African President, Nelson Mandela (R) sits beside US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton (L) during a meeting in Johannesburg on August 7, 2009. The United States and South Africa are working together to realise democracy, freedom and prosperity in Zimbabwe, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said. AFP PHOTO/POOL/Denis FARRELL (Photo credit should read DENIS FARRELL/AFP/Getty Images) (Photo: AFP AFP/Getty Images)

Former South African president and Nobel peace prize laureate Nelson Mandela joins guests at his home in Cape Town on August 20, 2008 to celebrate his 90th birthday year. The event has been organised by the Mandela Rhodes Foundation (MRF). AFP PHOTO/RODGER BOSCH (Photo credit should read RODGER BOSCH/AFP/Getty Images) (Photo: RODGER BOSCH AFP/Getty Images)

Former South African President Nelson Mandela speaks via video to the guests at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) for the World Cup 2010 draw in Cape Town on December 4, 2009. The draw itself sees the 32 teams divided into four pots of eight from which the eight groups that will contest the first round will be drawn. AFP PHOTO / FRANCOIS XAVIER MARIT (Photo credit should read FRANCOIS XAVIER MARIT/AFP/Getty Images) (Photo: FRANCOIS XAVIER MARIT AFP/Getty Images)

Former US president Jimmy Carter greeting Nelson Mandela (seated). Nelson Mandela, who founded The Elders in 2007, met members of the group on May 29, 2010 at a private lunch in Johannesburg. The Elders, tasked by Mandela to be ?a fiercely independent and robust force for good? are holding one of their regular meetings in South Africa. Archbishop Desmond Tutu, chair of the group said: ?It gives us such a strong sense of purpose and determination to sit with dear Madiba who brought us all together. We take his moral courage and his vision as our guide, to do what we can to address major causes of human suffering around the world. AFP PHOTO/THE ELDERS/JEFF MOORE (Photo credit should read Jeff Moore/AFP/Getty Images) (Photo: AFP AFP/Getty Images)

Former South African President Nelson Mandela (R) waves as he leaves with his wife Graca Macel after attending the memorial service of his great-granddaughter Zenani Mandela at the St Stithian?s College Chapel in Sandton, north of Johannesburg on June 17, 2010. Thirteen-year-old Zenani Mandela was killed in a car that overturned on June 10 as it took her home from a pre-World Cup concert in Soweto. AFP PHOTO / POOL/Siphiwe Sibeko (Photo credit should read SIPHIWE SIBEKO/AFP/Getty Images) (Photo: AFP AFP/Getty Images)

Former South African President Nelson Mandela arrives for the funeral of his great-granddaughter Zenani Mandela at St Stithian?s College Chapel in Sandton, north of Johannesburg on June 17, 2010. Thirteen-year-old Zenani Mandela was killed in a car that overturned on June 10 as it took her home from a pre-World Cup concert in Soweto. AFP PHOTO / POOL/Siphiwe Sibeko (Photo credit should read SIPHIWE SIBEKO/AFP/Getty Images) (Photo: AFP AFP/Getty Images)

Former South African president and Nobel peace prize laureate Nelson Mandela(R) laughs as he receives a kiss from one of his grandchildren on August 02, 2008 after giving his speech during the Mandela 90th birthday ANC celebration at Loftus stadium in Pretoria, South Africa.
AFP PHOTO/GIANLUIGI GUERCIA (Photo credit should read GIANLUIGI GUERCIA/AFP/Getty Images) (Photo: GIANLUIGI GUERCIA AFP/Getty Images)

A picture taken on April 22, 2009 shows South African former President Nelson Mandela in Johannesburg. Nelson Mandela, 93, was admitted to hospital on February 25, 2012 after doctors advised specialist medical attention for a long-standing abdominal complaint. "President Jacob Zuma wishes to advise that former president Nelson Mandela was admitted to hospital today, the 25th February 2012," a statement from the presidency said. AFP PHOTO / ALEXANDER JOE (Photo credit should read ALEXANDER JOE/AFP/Getty Images) (Photo: ALEXANDER JOE AFP/Getty Images)

Former South African President Nelson Mandela (L) and his wife, Graca Machel, arrive as South African President Thabo Mbeki (R) and United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan (2nd) look on upon 02 September 2002 at Sandton convention center in Johannesburg. Leaders from around the world were gathering at the WSSD here for a three-day debate on the future of the planet. AFP PHOTO - PEDRO UGARTE (Photo credit should read PEDRO UGARTE/AFP/GettyImages) (Photo: AFP AFP/Getty Images)

African National Congress (ANC) President Nelson Mandela (C) greets Cuban Olympic boxer Teofilo Stevenson (L) 25 July 1991 in Havana. Stevenson --who won 301 of the 321 fights he took part-- died of a heart attack at the age of 60 in Havana on June 11, 2012. (FILM) AFP PHOTO/RAFAEL PEREZ (Photo credit should read RAFAEL PEREZ/AFP/GettyImages) (Photo: RAFAEL PEREZ AFP/Getty Images)

QUNU, SOUTH AFRICA - JULY 17: In this handout provided by the Clinton Foundation, former U.S. President Bill Clinton (R) poses with former South African President Nelson Mandela on the eve of his 94th birthday at his residence July 17, 2012 in Qunu, South Africa. Along with his daughter Chelsea, Clinton met with Mandela for 90 minutes. (Photo by Barbara Kinney/Clinton Foundation via Getty Images) (Photo: Handout Getty Images)

South Africa's former President Nelson Mandela waves as he arrives to attend the 2010 World Cup football final Netherlands vs. Spain on July 11, 2010 at Soccer City stadium in Soweto, suburban Johannesburg. NO PUSH TO MOBILE / MOBILE USE SOLELY WITHIN EDITORIAL ARTICLE - AFP PHOTO / THOMAS COEX (Photo credit should read THOMAS COEX/AFP/Getty Images) (Photo: THOMAS COEX AFP/Getty Images)

Former South African President Nelson Mandela greets supporters at an African National Congress (ANC) election rally at Ellis Park stadium in Johannesburg on April 19, 2009. In a sea of black and gold, more than 100,000 ANC supporters today feted an anticipated victory in next week's South African elections, electrified by the presence of Nelson Mandela and presidential favourite Jacob Zuma.
AFP PHOTO/ALEXANDER JOE (Photo credit should read ALEXANDER JOE/AFP/Getty Images) (Photo: ALEXANDER JOE AFP/Getty Images)

Former South African president Nelson Mandela sits in the parliament gallery in Cape Town on February 11, 2010 during a celebration for the 20th year of the icon's freedom from apartheid prison. Lawmakers cheered and sang "Nelson Mandela, there is none like you" as the 91-year-old former president took his seat in the chamber, accompanied by his wife Graca Machel, smiling and waving in response. AFP PHOTO/SCHALK VAN ZUYDAM (Photo credit should read SCHALK VAN ZUYDAM/AFP/Getty Images) (Photo: SCHALK VAN ZUYDAM AFP/Getty Images)

Former South African president Nelson Mandela's, (L) points beside his wife Graca Machel (R) from the parliament gallery in Cape Town on February 11, 2010 during a celebration for the 20th year of the icon's freedom from apartheid prison. Lawmakers cheered and sang "Nelson Mandela, there is none like you" as the 91-year-old former president took his seat in the chamber, accompanied by his wife Graca Machel, smiling and waving in response. AFP PHOTO/SCHALK VAN ZUYDAM (Photo credit should read SCHALK VAN ZUYDAM/AFP/Getty Images) (Photo: SCHALK VAN ZUYDAM AFP/Getty Images)

Former South African president and Nobel peace prize laureate Nelson Mandela (L) greets a well-wisher at the unveiling of a bronze statue(miniature visible) of himself, as he walked to freedom, after being released from prison in 1990 on August 21, 2008 in Paarl, about 90Kms from Cape Town. The statue is at the entrance of the groot Drakenstein Prison, which used to be the Victor Verster prison, which was where Mandela was last imprisoned, before his release, in 1990. AFP PHOTO / RODGER BOSCH (Photo credit should read RODGER BOSCH/AFP/Getty Images) (Photo: RODGER BOSCH AFP/Getty Images)

(FILES) A picture taken on February 10, 1995 shows former South African President Nelson Mandela visiting his former cell in notorious Robben Island prison. Respiratory infections are common among elderly people, a medical expert said on December 11, 2012 as the South Africa announced that Nelson Mandela, 94, was being treated for a recurring lung infection.During his incarceration he worked in a limestone quarry for 13 years on Robben Island off the Cape Town coast, which may have affected his health in later life. AFP PHOTO / GUY TILLIM (Photo credit should read GUY TILLIM/AFP/Getty Images) (Photo: GUY TILLIM AFP/Getty Images)

South Africa former President Nelson Mandela (L) and his wife Graca Machel wave as they arrive for the closing ceremony of the 2010 FIFA football World Cup prior the final between the Netherlands and Spain on July 11, 2010 at Soccer City stadium in Soweto, suburban Johannesburg. NO PUSH TO MOBILE / MOBILE USE SOLELY WITHIN EDITORIAL ARTICLE AFP PHOTO / PEDRO UGARTE (Photo credit should read PEDRO UGARTE/AFP/Getty Images) (Photo: PEDRO UGARTE AFP/Getty Images)

(FILES) A picture taken on June 17, 2010 shows former South African President Nelson Mandela in Sandton. Nelson Mandela was in "good spirits" on March 29, 2013 as he spent a second day in hospital, in the latest health scare for the revered icon, South Africa's presidency said. AFP PHOTO / ALEXANDER JOE (Photo credit should read ALEXANDER JOE/AFP/Getty Images) (Photo: ALEXANDER JOE AFP/Getty Images)

(FILES) Former South African President Nelson Mandela and his wife Graca Machel pose at their home in Qunu, South Africa, on August 6, 2012. Nelson Mandela is recovering well at home after being released from hospital earlier this month, his wife Graca Machel told AFP on April 15, 2013. AFP PHOTO - POOL/ Jacquelyn Martin (Photo credit should read JACQUELYN MARTIN/AFP/Getty Images) (Photo: AFP AFP/Getty Images)

South African anti-apartheid leader and African National Congress (ANC) member Nelson Mandela waves to the press as he arrives at the Elysee Palace, 07 June 1990, in Paris, to have talks with French president Francois Mitterrand. Nelson Mandela, who was released from jail on 11 February 1990, is in Paris for a two-day official visit. (Photo credit should read MICHEL CLEMENT,DANIEL JANIN/AFP/Getty Images) (Photo: AFP AFP/Getty Images)

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In failing health for years and last seen in public in 2010, his death at age 95 was not unexpected, but saddened many who compared him with other civil rights leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. and India's Mahatma Gandhi.

President Obama, who drew inspiration from Mandela's life, was effusive in his praise, saying he "could not imagine his own life without the example Mandela set."

"He achieved more than could be expected of any man. We've lost one of the most influential, courageous, profoundly good people to be on this Earth,'' Obama said. "We will not likely see the likes of Nelson Mandela again."

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called Mandela "a giant for justice" whose "selfless struggle for human dignity, equality and freedom" inspired many people around the world. "No one did more in our time to advance the values and aspirations of the United Nations," Ban Ki-moon said.

Mandela also drew praise from former presidents Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush. "History will remember Nelson Mandela as a champion for human dignity and freedom, for peace and reconciliation,'' Clinton said. "We will remember him as a man of uncommon grace and compassion, for whom abandoning bitterness and embracing adversaries was not just a political strategy but a way of life."

Said Bush: "He was a man of tremendous moral courage, who changed the course of history in his country. Barbara and I had great respect for President Mandela, and send our condolences to his family and countrymen."

Andrew Young, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, said Mandela took on the task of uniting racially torn South Africa. " "He was a phenomenal individual," Young said. "Everything he did was about reconciling differences."

"President Mandela was one of the great forces for freedom and equality of our time,'' former president George W. Bush said. "He bore his burdens with dignity and grace, and our world is better off because of his example. This good man will be missed, but his contributions will live on forever."

NAACP Chairwoman Roslyn Brock said Mandela "embodied the hopes, dreams, aspirations and values of all who seek justice against tremendous odds."

"He responded to unfathomable violence with peace and courage, and in doing so he forever changed the world," Brock said.

Singer and activist Bono, who knew Mandela and with his band, U2, wrote the songOrdinary Love for the just released theatrical release Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, said Mandela made the world is a better place.

"It was as if he was born to teach the age a lesson in humility, in humor and above all else in patience,'' Bono said. " In the end, Nelson Mandela showed us how to love rather than hate, not because he had never surrendered to rage or violence, but because he (learned) that love would do a better job. Mandela played with the highest stakes. He put his family, his country, his time, his life on the line, and he won most of these contests."

Singer Paul Simon, who made a controversial nine-day trip to South Africa in 1985 that some thought violated a United Nations cultural boycott, called Mandela one of the great leaders and teachers of the 20th century. "He conceived a model for mortal enemies to overcome their hatred and find a way through compassion to rebuild a nation based on truth, justice and the power of forgiveness. His passing should reignite a worldwide effort for peace,'' Simon said.

Paying tribute from Britain, the Prince of Wales said: "Mandela was the embodiment of courage and reconciliation. He was also a man of great humour and had a real zest for life. With his passing, there will be an immense void not only in his family's lives, but also in those of all South Africans and the many others whose lives have been changed through his fight for peace, justice and freedom."

Queen Elizabeth II said she was "deeply saddened" at the news of Mandela's death.

Russian President Vladimir Putin called him one of the greatest politicians of our times.

F.W. de Klerk, South Africa's last apartheid-era president, said he and Mandela first met each other in 1989 and concluded they could do business with each other as the country embarked on its long-awaited transition to democratic rule.

"Although we were political opponents — and although our relationship was often stormy — we were always able to come together at critical moments to resolve the many crises that arose during the negotiation process," de Klerk said in a statement.

In Detroit, where Mandela had visited years ago, he was lauded for his warmth and dignity.

"When he got off the plane in Detroit, there was a line of dignitaries waiting to greet him,'' said Damon Keith, a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals. "He walked past the governor, the mayor and many others toward the end of the line where (civil rights activist Rosa) Parks stood. That showed me the impact of the civil rights movement on him and the entire world."

South African President Jacob Zuma said that Mandela would be given a state funeral and ordered all flags in the nation to be lowered to half mast until after the funeral.

The BBC reported that the funeral will be held next Saturday in the Eastern Cape village of Qunu where Mandela was born. It is thought that Mandela's body will lie in state in Pretoria for three days ahead of that.

South Africans light candles outside Nelson Mandela's home in Johannesburg on December 6, 2013 . Mandela, the revered icon of the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa and one of the towering political figures of the 20th century, has died aged 95, President Jacob Zuma said on December 6. AFP PHOTO / ALEXANDER JOE (Photo credit should read ALEXANDER JOE/AFP/Getty Images) (Photo: ALEXANDER JOE AFP/Getty Images)

South Africans hold a candle outside the house of former South African president Nelson Mandela following his death in Johannesburg on December 5, 2013. Mandela, the revered icon of the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa and one of the towering political figures of the 20th century, has died aged 95. Mandela, who was elected South Africa's first black president after spending nearly three decades in prison, had been receiving treatment for a lung infection at his Johannesburg home since September, after three months in hospital in a critical state. AFP PHOTO / ALEXANDER JOE (Photo credit should read ALEXANDER JOE/AFP/Getty Images) (Photo: ALEXANDER JOE AFP/Getty Images)

South Africans light candles outside Nelson Mandela's home in Johannesburg on December 6, 2013 . Mandela, the revered icon of the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa and one of the towering political figures of the 20th century, has died aged 95, President Jacob Zuma said on December 6. AFP PHOTO / ALEXANDER JOE (Photo credit should read ALEXANDER JOE/AFP/Getty Images) (Photo: ALEXANDER JOE AFP/Getty Images)

South African women hold a candlelight vigil outside the house of former South African president Nelson Mandela following his death in Johannesburg on December 5, 2013. Mandela, the revered icon of the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa and one of the towering political figures of the 20th century, has died aged 95. Mandela, who was elected South Africa's first black president after spending nearly three decades in prison, had been receiving treatment for a lung infection at his Johannesburg home since September, after three months in hospital in a critical state. AFP PHOTO / ALEXANDER JOE (Photo credit should read ALEXANDER JOE/AFP/Getty Images) (Photo: ALEXANDER JOE AFP/Getty Images)

South African police set up a cordon outside the house of former South African president Nelson Mandela following his death in Johannesburg on December 5, 2013. Mandela, the revered icon of the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa and one of the towering political figures of the 20th century, has died aged 95. Mandela, who was elected South Africa's first black president after spending nearly three decades in prison, had been receiving treatment for a lung infection at his Johannesburg home since September, after three months in hospital in a critical state. AFP PHOTO / ALEXANDER JOE (Photo credit should read ALEXANDER JOE/AFP/Getty Images) (Photo: ALEXANDER JOE AFP/Getty Images)

South African police set up a cordon outside the house of former South African president Nelson Mandela following his death in Johannesburg on December 5, 2013. Mandela, the revered icon of the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa and one of the towering political figures of the 20th century, has died aged 95. Mandela, who was elected South Africa's first black president after spending nearly three decades in prison, had been receiving treatment for a lung infection at his Johannesburg home since September, after three months in hospital in a critical state. AFP PHOTO / ALEXANDER JOE (Photo credit should read ALEXANDER JOE/AFP/Getty Images) (Photo: ALEXANDER JOE AFP/Getty Images)

A South African policewoman sets up a cordon outside the house of former South African president Nelson Mandela following his death in Johannesburg on December 5, 2013. Mandela, the revered icon of the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa and one of the towering political figures of the 20th century, has died aged 95. Mandela, who was elected South Africa's first black president after spending nearly three decades in prison, had been receiving treatment for a lung infection at his Johannesburg home since September, after three months in hospital in a critical state. AFP PHOTO / ALEXANDER JOE (Photo credit should read ALEXANDER JOE/AFP/Getty Images) (Photo: ALEXANDER JOE AFP/Getty Images)

South African police vehicles are parked outside the house of former South African president Nelson Mandela following his death in Johannesburg on December 5, 2013. Mandela, the revered icon of the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa and one of the towering political figures of the 20th century, has died aged 95. Mandela, who was elected South Africa's first black president after spending nearly three decades in prison, had been receiving treatment for a lung infection at his Johannesburg home since September, after three months in hospital in a critical state. AFP PHOTO / ALEXANDER JOE (Photo credit should read ALEXANDER JOE/AFP/Getty Images) (Photo: ALEXANDER JOE AFP/Getty Images)